Abortion-rights supporters pressure Gov. Pat McCrory

RALEIGH, N.C. — Abortion-rights supporters camped outside of Gov. Pat McCrory’s executive mansion Monday in a last-ditch effort to get him to veto new regulations they say could put clinics out of commission, WTVD reported.

Planned Parenthood held a 12-hour vigil Monday, and plan to hold another Tuesday, despite McCrory saying Friday he will sign the legislation the General Assembly passed last week.

Organizers are said that McCrory made a campaign promise last fall that he would approve no new restrictions on abortions. McCrory said the bill provides safeguards, not restrictions.

“Governor McCrory is keeping his promise not to restrict access to abortion,” said the governor’s communications director, Kim Genardo, in a statement released on Monday. “Instead he is signing legislation that will improve the health and safety of women.”

The legislation would require the state to develop stricter regulations of abortion clinics and allow additional medical personnel to refuse to participate in abortion procedures as a matter of conscience.